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Tea
The examination and sampling of tea, taken over from H.M. Customs & Excise
in 1959 continued throughout the year.
There is a very large tea packing factory and bonded warehouse in the Borough,
to which, by arrangement with the Commissioners of Customs & Excise, quantities
of tea are delivered direct from the docks. The initial point of inspection in this
country is therefore at the bonded warehouse. This places on the Council the responsibility
of inspecting this tea to ensure that it is fit for human consumption, in accordance
with the provisions of the Food & Drugs Act, 1955, and the Public Health (Imported
Food) Regulations, 1937.
During 1963, 717 samples representative of all consignments received at the warehouse
were taken by the District Public Health Inspector. This entailed three to four
visits a week to the warehouse for routine testing for unfitness or adulteration by
foreign matter. Experience has shown that teas originating from certain countries
are more likely to be contaminated than others and therefore greater attention is given
to these.
Of the 717 samples taken during the year 70 were found to be of doubtful quality
after initial tests had been carried out and were then referred for further examination
to the Council's analyst. He reported that 29 samples were from consignments of tea
considered to be unfit for human consumption mainly on account of the presence of
excessive quantities of metallic dust.
Some consignments of tea certified as unfit were re-exported under guarantee,
usually to Holland, for industrial purposes. The Medical Officers of Health for the
Port of London and the Port of Rotterdam were notified to enable them to check this
procedure. Of the 29 samples reported upon adversely by the analyst, 15 samples were
from consignments which he considered could be blended with larger quantities of
other good tea. Further samples of the resultant product were taken in all cases and
the final blend was found to be satisfactory.
It is interesting to note that the samples taken during the year represented total consignments
of 96,267 cases of tea of which 61, or 0.06%, were found to be completely
unfit for use for human consumption and 261 cases or 0.27% were recommended for
blending under supervision with other good tea so that they did not form more than
5 % of the final blend.
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